[ShadowReave]

hey, I've been reading the articles on this forum for a while now trying to decide for myself but every time i think I've come to a conclusion i learn of a new headphone and my list of possibles is just getting bigger. I'm new to the world of good headphones, i bought a pair of skullcandy agents about 6 months ago and found them good with bass but distorted in the vocals (remember i have no point of reference) so I'm looking for something that fits this description :
 
-less than $300
-fits in a school satchel
-very little or no leak
-durable enough to not be destroyed by textbooks and stuff
-not in need of an external amp
-good clarity of sound in vocals and guitar
 
 
i listen to mainly rock with a bit of blues and metal. my current music player is an ipod touch. As i said I'm new so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong category I've looked at all brands like grado, sennheiser, AKG, phiaton, denon, shure, beyerdynamic, koss and skullcandy but i don't live near to any of their retailers so i cant try them so if you have any advice on which cans are the best for what i want it'll be much appreciated

 

[Beatbox]

Don't get a skullcandy. Period. And get the hell away from beats too!
 
 
Are you looking for something fast and energetic, or laid back? Something which emphasizes the low end or the treble? Maybe mid-centric?
 
From your genres you would probably want something that is slightly bass-powerful for the rock, more so for the metal, and I don't really know blues but I think they're all about the mids?
 
Heard good things about the CK90, the FX700 (I don't know its price)... though I'm not really fluent in IEM's in your budget.
 
 
 
If you're not a audiophile then make yourself a favor and get phones that cost 150-200 bucks less. You wouldn't really hear a difference.

 

[Vloeibaarglas]

Skullcandy Aviator are great (and stylish) lol.
 
Do you want IEM or headphones?
 
Don't spend $300. Start with a pair of $60 pair.

 

[a_recording]

The most important thing for rock and metal is that the headphone's transient response /speed is good, particularly as in faster passages the music will otherwise start sounding very congested. So while you DO want bass, you want to make sure the headphone you choose is going to provide you with fast and tight bass rather than sloppy stuff that will just struggle to keep up.
 
Do you have any particular preference in terms of on-ear or over-ear? 
 
This roundup may give you some insight: http://www.headfonia.com/closed-cans-shootout-m-50-esw-9-t50p-hd25-1-beats-studio-srh-840-srh-750dj-k181dj-and-dj1pro/
 
Now I haven't heard it, and so I can only repeat recommendations here, but the Sennheiser HD25 seems like something you should look into.

 

[ShadowReave]

hey thanks for the quick replies sorry i wasnt clear i do want headphones not IEMs i havent had too much experience with audiophile headphones however my dad left my a pretty amazing hifi system which has perfect clarity (you can hear where the band members are in the room) and i want a pair of headphones which feel like im listening to music not having it rammed into the centre of my head as with the skullcandy and no i dont like beats either their overpriced overhyped and not very good value for money

 

[aamefford]

Quote:

hey, I've been reading the articles on this forum for a while now trying to decide for myself but every time i think I've come to a conclusion i learn of a new headphone and my list of possibles is just getting bigger. I'm new to the world of good headphones, i bought a pair of skullcandy agents about 6 months ago and found them good with bass but distorted in the vocals (remember i have no point of reference) so I'm looking for something that fits this description :
 
-less than $300
-fits in a school satchel
-very little or no leak
-durable enough to not be destroyed by textbooks and stuff
-not in need of an external amp
-good clarity of sound in vocals and guitar
 
 
i listen to mainly rock with a bit of blues and metal. my current music player is an ipod touch. As i said I'm new so I'm sorry if this is in the wrong category I've looked at all brands like grado, sennheiser, AKG, phiaton, denon, shure, beyerdynamic, koss and skullcandy but i don't live near to any of their retailers so i cant try them so if you have any advice on which cans are the best for what i want it'll be much appreciated

There is a pair of used HD25-1-II's in the for sale section.  You can also find these on line between $150 (rare) and about $190 new or B stock.  They are bullet proof, rebuildable, don't leak in or out, and will stand up to the rigors of a school satchel for sure.  They sound awesome with rock.  Beyerdynamic DT1350's come in a nice case, but are metal (might bend, though they are durable) and are pricier at $250 to $300.  I owned both pairs and went with the DT1350's as the keepers.  If I was using them at school, I would have kept the HD25's.  Cheaper, plainer looking (less attractive to others...) and as I said, bullet proof.
 
There are a bunch of other options out there, I just have experience with these two.  Oh, and the now discontinued AT ESW10-jpn - Brilliant, beautiful, fragile, out of production and pricy. Not recommended for your needs.
 
EDIT - just saw the amp note - Definitely the HD25's.  The DT1350's don't need an amp, but they do like one a bit more than the HD25-1-II's.
 

 

[ShadowReave]

Quote:

The most important thing for rock and metal is that the headphone's transient response /speed is good, particularly as in faster passages the music will otherwise start sounding very congested. So while you DO want bass, you want to make sure the headphone you choose is going to provide you with fast and tight bass rather than sloppy stuff that will just struggle to keep up.
 
Do you have any particular preference in terms of on-ear or over-ear? 
 
This roundup may give you some insight: http://www.headfonia.com/closed-cans-shootout-m-50-esw-9-t50p-hd25-1-beats-studio-srh-840-srh-750dj-k181dj-and-dj1pro/
 
Now I haven't heard it, and so I can only repeat recommendations here, but the Sennheiser HD25 seems like something you should look into.

ive heard good things about the HD 25 I-II ut the cups dont twist so theyd snap in my bag and no i dont have any preference in on ear or over ear
 

 

[ShadowReave]

what do you guys think about the shure SRH750DJ? or the phiaton MS300/PS300 NC? would they give me the kind of clarity of sound im looking for?

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

ive heard good things about the HD 25 I-II ut the cups dont twist so theyd snap in my bag and no i dont have any preference in on ear or over ear
 

I'm not sure they will snap; they are designed for DJ's after all.

 

[ShadowReave]

Quote:

I'm not sure they will snap; they are designed for DJ's after all.

i think i will get the HD25s the blue adidas ones though i do still want them to look a little bit cool as well as produce excellent sound

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

i think i will get the HD25s the blue adidas ones though i do still want them to look a little bit cool as well as produce excellent sound

Keep in mind that Sennheiser recently announced a new version of the HD25 specifically for portable consumer use, with new drivers. I don't know if there are any reviews yet, but something to consider.
 
http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2698293/sennheiser-hd-25-amperior-hd-700-headphones-hands-on

 

[ShadowReave]

Quote:

Keep in mind that Sennheiser recently announced a new version of the HD25 specifically for portable consumer use, with new drivers. I don't know if there are any reviews yet, but something to consider.
 
http://www.theverge.com/2012/1/10/2698293/sennheiser-hd-25-amperior-hd-700-headphones-hands-on

at $349 their out of my price range ($300 was the absolute max) and ive found some HD25 1-IIs for $215

 

[a_recording]

Quote:

at $349 their out of my price range ($300 was the absolute max) and ive found some HD25 1-IIs for $215

 
http://www.soundearphones.com/collections/frontpage/products/sennheiser-hd-25-1-ii is a better price, and probably gets better if you can find a coupon. Or did you mean the Adidas version?

 

[ShadowReave]

Quote:

 
http://www.soundearphones.com/collections/frontpage/products/sennheiser-hd-25-1-ii is a better price, and probably gets better if you can find a coupon. Or did you mean the Adidas version?

yeah i meant the adidas version i like the colour

 

[ShadowReave]

Quote:

 
http://www.soundearphones.com/collections/frontpage/products/sennheiser-hd-25-1-ii is a better price, and probably gets better if you can find a coupon. Or did you mean the Adidas version?

do you think an in line amp would improve the sound quality as well as a good pair of cans cos i was thinking if i could get both for under $300 i probably would, so long as it fits in my pocket to listen to on the move